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Have you noticed how niche the fitness industry is? There’s a special studio or facility for just about any type of fitness activity you can imagine. I have seen many changes in the fitness industry over the past 26 years of my career. Many fads come and go, many things I thought would fade away are still here, and many small gyms open and close. One of the biggest surprises to me is the continuous growth of the niche boutique-style physical fitness outlets, which usually only offer one format of physical activity. Whether it’s a Pilates studio, cycle or spin studio, Barre studio, CrossFit gym or yoga studio, the niche boutique gym appears to be here to stay.

Running, for the most part, is a solo sport. Many of us run to clear the mind, relieve stress, and give us time for self-reflection. Who couldn’t use some “alone time” every day? However, after 15 years of running, I've come to realize the invaluable benefits of running with a group. It doesn’t have to be a big group, yours could be as few as two, but here are five good reasons why you should buddy up for your next run.

According to the 2016 Yoga in America Study (conducted by the Yoga Journal, Yoga Alliance and Ipsos Public Affairs) there are 36.7 million people practicing yoga and 79% of those people also engage in running, cycling or weight lifting. Why? Yoga is just flat out good for you, it can increase flexibility, strength, athletic performance and decreases stress. Check out the report for more information regarding how Americans view yoga and what motivates them to practice this ancient technique.

The health and fitness industry has been booming and expanding at an exponential rate in the 21st century. With this growth comes a multitude of different workout trends, styles and fads. One trend that has seen the most growth is group training classes — and with good reason. Small group training, a comprehensive full-body workout class of 5-8 individuals led by a personal trainer, offers individuals the opportunity to experience working out in a very positive and purposeful way. Today, group training is less about sweating to the oldies, and more about expert guidance, accountability and engaging with your community while staying fit.